Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentration in Benthic Sediments of Ubeji River, Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State

Composite sediment samples were collected from three sampling points along the Ubeji River in Ubeji community, Warri South Local Government, Delta State, into which industrial effluents were discharged. The sediments were prepared for heavy metals analysis using standard laboratory techniques. The concentrations of heavy metals in sediments were compared with DPR (2002) limits for benthic sediments and survival of aquatic organisms. The results showed that cadmium (1.69mg/l) at the upstream, lead (47.04mg/l), manganese (52.65mg/l), chromium (56.87mg/l) and cadmium (2.77mg/l) at the point of effluent discharge and chromium (43.39mg/l) and cadmium (1.92mg/l) at the downstream from the point of effluent discharge were not within the acceptable limits. From the findings of the study, it was recommended that proper monitoring of the type and volume of effluents discharged into the river be put under surveillance to prevent an upsurge of heavy metal concentration in the Ubeji River.